MATAHARI
"Matahari" (The Sun) in the Twilight of Permata Theatre
In around 1940s, a movie theatre named Permata was built in Yogyakarta. As the name implies, the theatre rally became the diamond for Jogja community, especially young people. Permata theatre did not only function as a place to see the movie, but it also function as a place for hanging around and doing various romantic things of the youth. The existence of the movie theatre could even change the name of the area from Jalan Sultan Agung to Permata area.
The phenomenal Permata theatre by that time, especially the era of 60s to 70s, attracted all young people in Yogyakarta to have to come. This movie theatre was a symbol of prestige for young people as café and mall are at present time. It was in this theatre as well that phenomenal Indonesian films such as Badai Pasti Berlalu of 70s version and Gita Cinta di SMA were on.
Nonetheless, time goes by, as the morning that will always turn to evening. It happens to Permata movie theatre of which triumph is decreasing, moving to the twilight of its business. The number of the employees was tens but only few left now. The branches located until Wonosobo city are ruining. Permata theatre is not famous for its good films anymore; instead, it is known as a movie theatre showing low-quality films.
Permata theatre is almost entirely neglected; people hardly pay attention to its existence. Only once a while the passers by look the film posters at a glance. Fortunately, an art community named Apotik Komik cooperate with muralists from San Fransisco to 'save' this movie theatre through their Sama-Sama/Together Project by decorating the building with beautiful mural.
How could the murals make the movie theatre shining? Not only the bright colours, but also the mural entitled "Matahari" change the look of the old building. Seeming like did not expect the theatre to vanish, the mural tried to keep the movie theatre shining. Frankly speaking, the mural that was created in 2003 is the main attraction of Permata theatre now, since it also symbolized certain creature.
"Matahari" is the superhero character created from the imagination of Aaron Noble, a muralist from San Fransisco who made the mural in Permata theatre. He thought of a new superhero, unlike Superman or Batman in American comics or Gatotkaca and Hanoman in Indonesian puppet stories. He imagined a superhero with combined characters of American and Indonesian superheroes. The imagination is not separated from the memory of Aaron's childhood who was raised in a small town with superhero films he possibly saw.
If you look at "Matahari" character painted on the west wall of Permata movie theatre, you might wonder of what characters are combined and what type of characters they are. The same confusion was experienced by YogYES while observing the character so that we had to ask Samuel Indratma, as one of the prominent persons in Apotik Komik who was involved in Sama-Sama/Together Project. Samuer, however, did not know exactly the answer so that he explained that the murals could be perceived differently by different persons. Even, he said, if many people perceive them differently, the work of the art can be said to be successful.
Even though we cannot know clearly the combined characters, the image of the superhero can be seen in detail. The superhero that Aaron created is described to be fighting another character that possibly is its longstanding enemy. The superhero looks so powerful with strong hand holding a knife in the form of an animal horn decorated with ribbons. The body of the superhero is depicted to be of black colour and huge, on a purple background.
In fact, the present "Matahari" has experienced some changes. Initially, the knife held by the superhero was seen clearly; the blade looked shining. The picture, however, was confusing for other muralists who thought the picture to be too dark on the wall of the movie theatre. Then, some changes were done to the form of the knife and to some other small parts of the picture.
Apart from the confusion of the art works, which should possibly there in art works, the mural of "Matahari" is an extraordinary work of arts. This mural was created by not only relying on creativity but also personal experience and the preference of the creator. When the movie theatre was chosen for him, Aaron was very excited. He seemed like remembering his past experience when he worked in a movie theatre in his town.
Do feel interested in seeing the collaboration superhero that was born from the combination of Aaron's creativity and personal experience? Just come to Permata movie theatre. You can reach it by heading eastwards from the Main Post Office crossroad until you get to the second crossroad. "Matahari" mural is located precisely on the upper, west side of the movie theatre wall. When you get to the crossroad, and you turn left, the mural in on your right sight. Look upward and you will see it.If you want, you can also get into the movie theatre to see the film that is on at 10.00 a.m., 03.00 p.m., 05.00 p.m. and 09.00 p.m. Otherwise, you can also asks permission to see the operator room, just to see the activities of the workers operating the film rolling machine that must had been tens years of age. If you saw "Janji Joni" that won an award in Singapore Film Festival, you will be touched to see the operator of the film rolling machine works.
In around 1940s, a movie theatre named Permata was built in Yogyakarta. As the name implies, the theatre rally became the diamond for Jogja community, especially young people. Permata theatre did not only function as a place to see the movie, but it also function as a place for hanging around and doing various romantic things of the youth. The existence of the movie theatre could even change the name of the area from Jalan Sultan Agung to Permata area.
The phenomenal Permata theatre by that time, especially the era of 60s to 70s, attracted all young people in Yogyakarta to have to come. This movie theatre was a symbol of prestige for young people as café and mall are at present time. It was in this theatre as well that phenomenal Indonesian films such as Badai Pasti Berlalu of 70s version and Gita Cinta di SMA were on.
Nonetheless, time goes by, as the morning that will always turn to evening. It happens to Permata movie theatre of which triumph is decreasing, moving to the twilight of its business. The number of the employees was tens but only few left now. The branches located until Wonosobo city are ruining. Permata theatre is not famous for its good films anymore; instead, it is known as a movie theatre showing low-quality films.
Permata theatre is almost entirely neglected; people hardly pay attention to its existence. Only once a while the passers by look the film posters at a glance. Fortunately, an art community named Apotik Komik cooperate with muralists from San Fransisco to 'save' this movie theatre through their Sama-Sama/Together Project by decorating the building with beautiful mural.
How could the murals make the movie theatre shining? Not only the bright colours, but also the mural entitled "Matahari" change the look of the old building. Seeming like did not expect the theatre to vanish, the mural tried to keep the movie theatre shining. Frankly speaking, the mural that was created in 2003 is the main attraction of Permata theatre now, since it also symbolized certain creature.
"Matahari" is the superhero character created from the imagination of Aaron Noble, a muralist from San Fransisco who made the mural in Permata theatre. He thought of a new superhero, unlike Superman or Batman in American comics or Gatotkaca and Hanoman in Indonesian puppet stories. He imagined a superhero with combined characters of American and Indonesian superheroes. The imagination is not separated from the memory of Aaron's childhood who was raised in a small town with superhero films he possibly saw.
If you look at "Matahari" character painted on the west wall of Permata movie theatre, you might wonder of what characters are combined and what type of characters they are. The same confusion was experienced by YogYES while observing the character so that we had to ask Samuel Indratma, as one of the prominent persons in Apotik Komik who was involved in Sama-Sama/Together Project. Samuer, however, did not know exactly the answer so that he explained that the murals could be perceived differently by different persons. Even, he said, if many people perceive them differently, the work of the art can be said to be successful.
Even though we cannot know clearly the combined characters, the image of the superhero can be seen in detail. The superhero that Aaron created is described to be fighting another character that possibly is its longstanding enemy. The superhero looks so powerful with strong hand holding a knife in the form of an animal horn decorated with ribbons. The body of the superhero is depicted to be of black colour and huge, on a purple background.
In fact, the present "Matahari" has experienced some changes. Initially, the knife held by the superhero was seen clearly; the blade looked shining. The picture, however, was confusing for other muralists who thought the picture to be too dark on the wall of the movie theatre. Then, some changes were done to the form of the knife and to some other small parts of the picture.
Apart from the confusion of the art works, which should possibly there in art works, the mural of "Matahari" is an extraordinary work of arts. This mural was created by not only relying on creativity but also personal experience and the preference of the creator. When the movie theatre was chosen for him, Aaron was very excited. He seemed like remembering his past experience when he worked in a movie theatre in his town.
Do feel interested in seeing the collaboration superhero that was born from the combination of Aaron's creativity and personal experience? Just come to Permata movie theatre. You can reach it by heading eastwards from the Main Post Office crossroad until you get to the second crossroad. "Matahari" mural is located precisely on the upper, west side of the movie theatre wall. When you get to the crossroad, and you turn left, the mural in on your right sight. Look upward and you will see it.If you want, you can also get into the movie theatre to see the film that is on at 10.00 a.m., 03.00 p.m., 05.00 p.m. and 09.00 p.m. Otherwise, you can also asks permission to see the operator room, just to see the activities of the workers operating the film rolling machine that must had been tens years of age. If you saw "Janji Joni" that won an award in Singapore Film Festival, you will be touched to see the operator of the film rolling machine works.
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